The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has firmly stated that the recent United States military airstrikes in North-West Nigeria did not violate the nation’s sovereignty. He clarified on Friday that the operation was a collaborative effort fully authorized by the Federal Government.
Tuggar made these clarifications during an interview following the confirmation of the attacks. He explained that the strikes were approved at the highest level by President Bola Tinubu. According to him, the government remains in full control of all decisions regarding the country’s territory.
“We collaborated on this attack. It was a collaborative effort between Nigeria and the US, and President Tinubu gave the go-ahead before it took place,” Tuggar said. He insisted that the administration does not view the joint operation as an infringement on Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
This development follows a statement by US President Donald Trump on Thursday. Trump announced that American forces conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in the region to stop the killing of Christians. He also vowed that more attacks would follow if the violence continued.
However, Tuggar dismissed suggestions that the cooperation was driven by external pressure or religious sentiments. He emphasized that the primary goal is to combat terrorism and protect the lives of Nigerians. The minister stated, “It is not about religion, it’s about the protection of lives and property of Nigerians and our neighbours as well.”
The minister also addressed concerns about the potential deployment of American ground troops to Nigeria in the future. He noted that such operational decisions fall strictly under the authority of Nigeria’s defense and security institutions. He added that the military would determine the necessity of any further foreign assistance.
Tuggar concluded that the government prioritizes practical results over abstract debates about jurisdiction. He maintained that the focus remains on stopping terrorist violence and securing the nation.
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